Gulfport City Council Meeting – August 4, 2026

The Gulfport City Council met on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. The packed agenda featured a proclamation for the Juvenile Welfare Board's 80th anniversary, extensive public testimony raising privacy concerns over the city's automated license plate reader (Flock camera) program, and the unanimous passage of ten resolutions covering first responder contracts, insurance renewals, and the fiscal year 2026–2027 special events calendar. A lengthy discussion on a proposed e-bikes ordinance concluded with council requesting further incident data before proceeding with specific regulations.

Proclamation – Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County 80th Anniversary

• Vice Mayor Marlene Shaw read the proclamation recognizing the JWB's 80 years of service to children and families.
• Karen Boggess, Interim CEO/COO, noted that the JWB is funded solely by ad valorem property tax dollars and that nearly one in four households with children in Gulfport benefit from JWB-funded programs. She highlighted local investments including mentoring at Boca Ciega High School, a school-based health clinic at Gulfport Elementary, after-school programming, a foster grandparent program, and YMCA swim lessons.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Metria Jones (20-year resident): Expressed strong opposition to the city's license plate reader (Flock camera) program, arguing it was implemented without meaningful public debate, collects searchable data on vehicle movements, and was expanded to meet the requirements of a private surveillance company rather than a documented local need. She called for the program to be paused and subjected to an independent audit and public council vote.
• Kristen (6-year resident): Raised concerns that outside police agencies can access Gulfport's camera data. She noted the city could not confirm whether other agencies use facial recognition and failed to produce records of program approvals, audits, or misuse reports. She argued for enforceable restrictions and civilian oversight before reactivation.
• April (resident): Criticized the camera program as a staff policy decision made without City Council authorization, comparing it to the city's 287(g) agreement. She argued that policy decisions of this magnitude should require a council vote.
• John Hogan (16-year resident): Proposing Daniel Hodge for the Spirit of Gulfport Award, he detailed Mr. Hodge's 25 years of contributions including founding the Tuesday Fresh Market, the LGBTQ resource center, the GeckoBall, and the Thursday Night Social.
• David Shiner (St. Pete resident, e-comment): Criticized the disparity in restroom maintenance between the beachfront and inland areas like Trolley Square and the locking of park restrooms, arguing the city's actions contrast with proclamations of kindness and compassion.

Discussion Items

Council and Staff Reports

• City Manager O’Reilly & Public Works Director Kendrick Sanderson: Provided updates on the Casino rebuild (60% plans delivered, structural piers need replacement, bid package expected late fall 2026/early winter 2027), the Seaside Villas demolition (open permit), and the former Lions Club property (fencing installed to block vehicles, pedestrians welcome).
• City Clerk Carico: Reported council consensus to support a second term for Tom Reed as the city's PSTA representative.
• Councilmember Reports:
  • Vice Mayor Shaw reported a circuit court ruling that found the ballot language for Property Tax Amendment 3 defective, removing it from the current ballot. She also reminded the public of the upcoming budget workshop and schedule changes for meetings.
  • Councilmember Webb reported on community letters of support for expanding the local school to K-8, a potential affordable teacher housing development on the old middle school property, and her advocacy against a Forward Pinellas proposal that would reduce public input on land use changes for small parcels.
  • Mayor Love announced a town hall on rainwater harvesting and noted that FWC is handling enforcement regarding a sunken vessel in the bay.

Resolutions 8a–8f: Contracts and Agreements

• Unanimously approved payments for building services (C.A.P. Government), the sheriff's office support services agreement, and one-year wage agreements with the fire union (8c) and police unions (8d, 8e). Wage increases (0.5% to 9%) are based on a step pay plan to bring the city to a mid-range market level. The police agreement also moves all officers to a 2,184-hour annual schedule. Council noted the one-year term was chosen due to the uncertainty of the potential property tax revenue loss.
• Unanimously approved a 23.89% reduction in the city's insurance premiums through Public Risk Management of Florida (8f), attributed by the carrier to a softening commercial property market.

Resolutions 8g–8j: Special Events Calendar for FY 2026–2027

• Recurring Events (8g) – Passed Unanimously: Justin presented a fiscal analysis showing FY25 city costs of $64,500, offset by $12,075 in revenue, for a net subsidy of $52,600. Mayor Love expressed concern over the cost and urged moving events toward revenue neutrality given potential budget cuts. Councilmember Donch countered that events are a core community investment.
• New Events (8h) – Fusion 49 Blues Festival Contingency Approval: The new events included the Gulfport Community 5K (fundraiser for Operation Santa), an arts and heritage event, and the Fusion 49 Blues Art and Seafood Festival. Representatives from Fusion 49 and a community member expressed that the city programmed the music without their input, lacking diversity and collaboration. Council passed the motion with an amendment making approval contingent upon full collaboration with Fusion 49 on event programming, specifically the selection of artists.
• Fine Arts Festival (8i) – Passed Unanimously.
• VETSports Beach Volleyball Tournaments (8j) – Passed Unanimously: Approved 5 two-day tournaments. Council members noted concerns about beach access and the waiving of the $50 application fee for future consideration.

Discussion: Proposed E-Bikes Ordinance

• City Attorney Salzman presented a comprehensive draft ordinance detailing options for age limits, helmet requirements, speed limits, and high-pedestrian activity zones.
• Council was divided on the scope and necessity:
  • Councilmember Webb: Requested police incident reports and data to ensure regulation solves an identified problem rather than being enacted for its own sake. She questioned how age and speed limits could be enforced without identification.
  • Councilmember Early: Opposed blanket prohibitions on sidewalks, advocating for education and shared pedestrian responsibility. She supported temporary restrictions during special events.
  • Councilmember Donch: Supported helmets for minors, parental accountability, a ban on e-bikes on the beach sand, and special event restrictions.
  • Vice Mayor Shaw: Reported receiving resident complaints about speed and near-misses and supported taking incremental action.
  • Mayor Love: Recommended gathering specific data from the police department before finalizing any proposal.
• No vote was taken. Council directed staff to gather further local incident data and bring back a refined proposal.

Key Outcomes

• Resolutions 8a through 8j: Approved unanimously, authorizing building inspection payments, law enforcement support, union wage agreements, insurance renewal, and the entire FY 2026–2027 special events calendar.
• PSTA Seat: Council reached consensus to reappoint Tom Reed for a second term.
• Spirit of Gulfport Award: Consensus reached to award the honor to Eileen Navarro for her 26 years of service with the Gulfport Community Players.
• E-Bikes Ordinance: No vote taken. Council requested specific incident data from the police department to inform future regulations, signaling a preference for an incremental, data-driven approach.
• Fusion 49 Festival: Approved contingent on full collaboration between the city and Fusion 49 on event programming and artist selection.
• Upcoming Workshops: Budget (Aug 6), Property Tax Cuts (Dec 3), Special Events Finances (Jan 7), and a workshop on services for unhoused residents (TBD).